Bread and Circuses - The Opium of the Masses

Bread and Circuses is a metaphor for a simplistic means of appeasement. In the case of politics, the phrase is used to describe the creation of public approval, not through exemplary or excellent public service or public policy, but through the mere satisfaction of the immediate, shallow requirements of a populace. The phrase also implies the erosion or ignorance of civic duty amongst the concerns of the common man.

In modern usage, the phrase has become an adjective to deride a populace that no longer values civic virtues and the public life. To many across the political spectrum, left and right, it connotes the triviality and frivolity that defined the Roman Empire prior to its DECLINE.

Transcript:

A new world is being created.
This world, is hidden, hidden in plain sight.
Its easily hidden because the people of this world
have degraded themselves into nothing more than sheep
The wool that covers the eyes of mankind is easily perceived.
Paris Hilton, Brittany Spears, celebrity sex tapes scandals,
political categories that shuffle the mindset of Americans like a well stacked deck of cards.
Left, right, liberal conservative, neo-con, independent, republican, democrat, jacks, kings and queens.
These are all weapons of mass distractions.
Did you ever ask yourself why the news is so concerned with hollywood and celebrities?
Are you concerned with these things?
Ten years ago did you concern yourself with which hollywood stars are sleeping with whom?
Or are you just being bombarded with exposure to these things that they now seem as if they are natural inclinations?
Reality television, main stream media misdirection, corporate funding from organizations with political agendas and mass deregulation from the FCC
has turned the practice of journalism into the age old practice of propaganda and distraction.
Ever heard the term bread and circuses?
The term bread and circuses is used to describe low cost entertainments,
which are used to distract the populace from the issues around them.
It may be used in a liberal sense to refer to things like benefits and other handouts
along with government sponsored entertainments.
But its also used more generally to talk about government mismanagement
and describe the people who are distracted by such offerings.
As you might imagine the connotations of this term are generally negative.
Bread and circuses were first mentioned by the roman poet Juvenal.
Who while the first century describing what he perceived as the downfall of the roman society.
He felt that the romans were softened, weakened by the roman empire.
No longer living up to their world reputation in history.
When he referred to bread and circuses he was talking about the handouts of wheat and other foods from roman aristocracies to lower class romans,
and the lavish entertainments which were sponsored by the government.
The implication of the term, is that people are easily distracted by entertainments
and are willing to allow themselves to be weakened by bread and circuses.
Whether literal or figurative,
The term is also meant to be critical of the government by suggesting that instead of actually dealing with issues.
The government simply helps to distract people.
A related concept is the opium of the masses.
The drug which keeps people placated.
Rather than allowing them to remain alert.

Visuals: Marco Brambilla
Audio: LegionAreWe

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• mind
• control
• entertainment
• television

[LadyBludgeon]

I had a difficult time interpretating what the narrator was saying. Love the graphics used though. Very impressive.

"The phrase also implies the erosion or ignorance of civic duty amongst the concerns of the common man." The Greeks had a simpler term to describe these people... idiots. Anyways great video... just wish I could understand more. Peace to all.

[rageunderground]

@LadyBludgeon check the description,

theres a transcript in there now.

[marieatthelake]

Couldn't understand it but I understand and agree with the message.

I don't have TV and I don't buy newspapers. Protesting is a joke. What else can I do? What else can you do? What else can WE do.

Suggest you all reconsider giving your money to mainstream TV and mainstream newspapers.. It only feeds their machine.

[pillblooms]

How did you make the graphics? Which programs did you use. Great Job, soooo impressed!!!

[tojamon]

this video blew my mind

[cri64italia]

@nmuhmin

:D

[nmuhmin]

thank you, sister :D great video. WE HAVE AWAKENED!!

[brendanmichaelpix]

are you Swiss? is american culture something commomly known there? if so thats too bad as we dont know about the entertainment elsewhere infact I personally don't

bother knowing whats happening here lol.

[DJTerrorBerlin]

Great clip art, fantastic pictures

[ullwi87]

+ !

[bsielicka]

GREAT!!!!! 

[misterwaymusic]

Trip out.

[MrSerling1]

I agree !!!